Candidness Is SZA's Superpower in New Album 'SOS'

Her first album in over five years is finally here.

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After a lengthy five-and-a-half-year wait, SZA has finally released her Ctrl followup, SOS.

Clocking in at approximately one hour and 10 minutes, the extensive 23-track record features guest appearances from Don Toliver on “Used,” Phoebe Bridgers on “Ghost in the Machine,” previous collaborator Travis Scott on “Open Arms” and the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard on “Forgiveless,” as well as production and contribution credits from the likes of Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes, Jay Versace, DJ Dahi and more.

The highly-anticipated album’s eclectic list of contributors gives SZA the space to explore a variety of sonic planes ranging from her traditional R&B to trap, indie and more, but her lyrical and vocal prowess remain strong and consistent throughout. She knows how to harness her vocal power and the honesty and vulnerability in her words, not only making her a favorite for critics but also keeping the relatability many connected with in Ctrl. The years spent developing this album, despite the controversy that surrounded it, proved to be fruitful for the final output that was absolutely worth the wait.

Stream SZA’s SOS on Spotify.

Elsewhere in music, A$AP Rocky talked about fatherhood, his upcoming album and his work on Need for Speed Unbound in a new HYPEBEAST interview.

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Sophie Caraan
Sophie Caraan Managing Editor

Sophie Caraan is the Managing Editor at Hypebeast, where she sets the editorial direction, standards, and output strategy for the HQ team. With a decade of editorial experience, she brings both a storyteller's instinct and a strategist's eye — spotlighting the figures and movements that shape the culture across a multitude of lanes. Her tenure is marked by high-impact conversations with the likes of RZA, Mads Mikkelsen, CORTIS, Erling Haaland, Kasing Lung, NIGO, and more.

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